Four people have died of dengue in Caraga region during the first three months of 2009, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

Data from the DOH-Caraga regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said two of the fatalities were residents of Bislig City; one from Barobo town in Surigao del Sur and one was a resident of Rosario town in Agusan del Sur.

The DOH-Caraga said there are a total of 154 people from all over the region have been diagnosed with dengue since January.

The health department, meanwhile, clarified that the number is actually lower compared to last year's figure. It said a total of 174 dengue cases were recorded from January to March in 2008.

Dr. Gerna Manatad, DOH's regional epidemiologist, said majority of the dengue victims are male with ages ranging from 11 to 20.

Manatad said the DOH-Caraga have intensified its campaign against the dengue virus. She said the regional health department has been going around provinces to educate people on how to remove breeding grounds of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. With a report from Rodge Cultura, ABS-CBN Butuan